Name: _________________________________

Advanced Use of Articles: a and an

Use the word a before nouns or adjectives that begin with a consonant sound.

example: I listened to a terrific song on the radio.

Use the word an before nouns or adjectives that begin with a vowel sound.

example: I saw an exciting movie last night.

Remember, an is used when a word begins with a vowel sound. Sometimes a word
can begin with a vowel, but start with a consonant sound.

example: Inches are a unit of measurement on a ruler.

The word unit begins with the consonant y-sound (yoo-nit), so you would use the
article a.

Sometimes a word will begin with a silent consonant, but a vowel sound. When this
happens you use an.

example: Mr. Bolivia is an honest man.

Even though honest begins with a consonant, the h is silent. The word begins with a
vowel sound, so you would use an.

Write the word a or an on each line to complete each sentence.

1. I ate dinner over ______ hour ago. 2. Dad made ______ delicious pork roast.

3. My brother is ______ soldier in the army. 4. He wears ______ uniform.

5. Samuel painted ____ unusual picture. 6. It was a picture of ____ unicorn on a space ship.

7. Do you have ____ extra pencil? 8. My pencil broke during _____ English test.

9. Kelly broke ____ bone in his leg. 10. He went to the hospital for ____ x-ray.

11. My sister will attend ____ university when she finishes high school.

Super Teacher Worksheets - www.superteacherworksheets.com

Name: _________________________________

Advanced Use of Articles: a and an

Use the word a before nouns or adjectives that begin with a consonant sound.

example: I listened to a terrific song on the radio.

Use the word an before nouns or adjectives that begin with a vowel sound.

example: I saw an exciting movie last night.

Remember: The word an is used when a word begins with a vowel sound.
Sometimes a word can begin with a vowel, but start with a consonant sound.

example: Inches are a unit of measurement on a ruler.

The word unit begins with the consonant y-sound (yoo-nit), so you would use the
article a.

Sometimes a word will begin with a silent consonant, but a vowel sound. When this
happens you use an.

example: Mr. Bolivia is an honest man.

Even though honest begins with a consonant, the h is silent. The word begins with a
vowel sound, so you would use an.

Write the word a or an on each line to complete each sentence.

1. I ate dinner over an hour ago. 2. Dad made a delicious pork roast.

3. My brother is a soldier in the army. 4. He wears a uniform.

5. Samuel painted an unusual picture. 6. It was a picture of a unicorn on a space ship.

7. Do you have an extra pencil? 8. My pencil broke during an English test.

9. Kelly broke a bone in his leg. 10. He went to the hospital for an x-ray.

11. My sister will attend a university when she finishes high school.

Super Teacher Worksheets - www.superteacherworksheets.com